Bob Peters made one of his rare ventures across from Western Australia to watch Cosmic Crusader take out the P B Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield.
Now trained at Pakenham by Andrea Leek, Cosmic Crusader is two from two since making the trip across from Perth.
Cosmic Crusader took out the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on July 25 before adding Saturday’s Group 2 contest to his record.
Ridden by Willie Pike and sent out the $2.40 favourite, Cosmic Crusader registered a three-quarter length win from Private Eye ($3.40) with Evaporate ($5) the same margin off third. Those looking for the best horse racing betting apps saw the favourite deliver another impressive victory.
Peters said he could not remember the last time he made the trip from Perth to watch one of his gallopers on a Melbourne racecourse.
“I made it a point never to fly when I only have one runner,” Peter said.
“I went to Morphettville once for a Group 1.
“Everything was going alright, but at six o’clock in the morning I got the call that the horse had done a tendon, so I thought ‘never again’ if I’ve only got one.
“I had another function on, so that’s why I’m here today. It was a good opportunity to come for two things.”
Peter was pleased with what he saw from Cosmic Crusader who was pulling in a position that was a little further back than what was anticipated.
Now the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) on August 29 will be the next assignment.
“I was a little bit worried in the run when he was pulling, but once Willie got him to the outside, I could see he was on the job,” Peters said.
“(The Memsie) that’s the way to go. He had to get through this one to get there, but he’s done it well.
“It’s a bit of a step up when you get up to the big boys and girls in the next fortnight.”
Leek said Cosmic Crusader would not need a lot of work between Saturday’s win and the Memsie Stakes.
She said he would potter around the hills at the family property to prepare for the contest.
“He’s a lovely horse with a lot of ability and I thought he had come on from that first-up run and hopefully he can come on from this one to,” Leek said.
